Psalms 17
1 A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry; give ear unto my prayer from lips without deceit.
A prayer of David. Lord, please hear my cry for justice! Please pay attention to my call for help! Listen to the prayer of an honest man!
2 Let my judgment come forth from Thy presence; let Thine eyes behold equity.
Vindicate me before you—for you see what is right.
3 Thou hast tried my heart, Thou hast visited it in the night; Thou hast tested me, and Thou findest not that I had a thought which should not pass my mouth.
You have observed my thoughts, you have visited me at night, you have examined me—and you have found nothing wrong. I promised myself I wouldn't say anything I shouldn't.
4 As for the doings of men, by the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the ways of the violent.
With regard to the actions of others: I have done what you told me and I have avoided what violent people do.
5 My steps have held fast to Thy paths, my feet have not slipped.
I have not strayed from your path; my feet have not slipped from it.
6 As for me, I call upon Thee, for Thou wilt answer me, O God; incline Thine ear unto me, hear my speech.
God, I call out to you because I know you will answer; please listen carefully to what I have to say.
7 Make passing great Thy mercies, O Thou that savest by Thy right hand from assailants them that take refuge in Thee.
Show me how wonderful your trustworthy love really is, Savior of those who come to you for protection against their enemies!
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me in the shadow of Thy wings,
Keep me safe as someone you love; hide me underneath your wings.
9 From the wicked that oppress, my deadly enemies, that compass me about.
Protect me from the attacks of the wicked who want to destroy me, from my enemies who surround me, intent on killing me.
10 Their gross heart they have shut tight, with their mouth they speak proudly.
They have no compassion, and all they have to say is pure arrogance.
11 At our every step they have now encompassed us; they set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.
They hunt me down and surround me, looking for the chance to knock me down in the dust.
12 He is like a lion that is eager to tear in pieces, and like a young lion lurking in secret places.
They are like lions, longing to tear their prey apart; like fierce lions crouching in ambush.
13 Arise, O LORD, confront him, cast him down; deliver my soul from the wicked, by Thy sword;
Lord, stand up and confront them! Force them to back down! By your sword rescue me from the wicked!
14 From men, by Thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life, and whose belly Thou fillest with Thy treasure; who have children in plenty, and leave their abundance to their babes.
Lord, by your power, save me from people whose only thought is for this world. May they be filled with what you have in store for them, their children too, with left-overs for their grandchildren!
15 As for me, I shall behold Thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.
As for me, I shall see your face in all its goodness. When I awake, I will be so pleased to see you face to face.
